Snow Storm in Portland

Not.

It is really amusing (and sad) that it is all over local news whenever there is a light dusting of snow; they show clips of Portlanders proudly claiming how they are prepared with tire chains and news reporter pointing out to children throwing snowballs and making snow angels when clearly there is not enough snow to do any of that properly. Portlanders are all, "OH MY GOD! SNOW!"

Reminds me of the time when entire Portland shut down because of a couple inches of snow... Good times, good times.

Partying, Eating, and Shopping

I grudgingly float back to the land of reality... Because it is time for productivity and studying again. I told myself I could have all the fun I wanted on Thursday and Friday (though I should do a bit of work, which I did) but come Saturday I had to buckle down and start studying. Things have been rather crazy since Thanksgiving Break started so I am somewhat eager to return to normalcy.

On Wednesday, we had two parties in my apartment with the second one lasting the longest and creating the most drunkards. I avoided most of it choosing to hang out in a friend's apartment although we came back at around 1am thinking that the party would be winding down. But, nope. It lasted until 3am and I only fell asleep at around 4am.

I woke up some six hours later thinking I would do some work after making breakfast (or brunch, rather). Well, that did not happen; instead, I ended up watching 'The Count of Monte Cristo' and 'Gladiator' with my roommates during which I made chocolate pudding pie and banana cake for our Thanksgiving dinner. We did not have Thanksgiving dinner until like 9pm, which we were not initially too happy about because we were famished.

After we finally had dinner, a group of people and I decided to go shopping at midnight. We left at around that time and it took us over an hour to reach our destination when it would have normally taken 30 minutes. Everyone was going to the same mall as us, and it was the last five miles that took us an hour.

Shopping was fun. The lines were insanely long though that was a blessing in disguise; other wise I would have spent more than I would have liked. I ended up buying a Guess? trench coat, a pair of Ralph Lauren leather gloves, and a Fossil watch. Fun, fun, fun! (Even though we got back at around 5am)

I suppose those are the highlights of my Thanksgiving break--a much needed break from classes.

Thanksgiving!

(Also known as 'The Holiday of Gluttony!')

If Thanksgiving is one of your favourite holidays, then I suggest you stop reading this entry... now. But, just so you know, I intend to be constructively critical--not hatin'. I do not celebrate Thanksgiving since I am not American so you can interpret my perspective as one belonging to that of an "outsider."

I had always thought of Thanksgiving as a holiday where one is to be thankful for our (or rather, your) fortunes today with the turkey just being a little bonus on the side; the name of the holiday connotes 'giving thanks,' after all. However, that was before I came to the US. Since moving here I just started seeing Thanksgiving as a holiday of gluttony where giving thanks is just the (optional!) thing on the side.

The food and the eating is the focus of this holiday!!! People start eating in the mid-afternoon and do not stop until everyone leaves later that night. How can you not find that the least bit disgusting? Sure, maybe you say a little prayer or two and give your thanks but chances are that you are thanking the bountiful food you are about to stuff yourselves with and you spend more time chattering about the food than reflecting on what this holiday is supposed to be about.

*Shrugs*

I am just staying here this Thanksgiving holiday, no California or Arizona like the past two years, which I do not mind. I will take up a few friends' offers to have Thanksgiving dinner, and I do not think it is hypocritical for me have Thanksgiving dinner after what I just talked about! I am aware it is Thanksgiving Day but it bears no significance for me and it means a break from cooking for myself. Oh, I will probably go shopping on Friday as well because that is when all the crazy sales are (I think) and I need to buy Christmas presents for my family. Other than that, it just means lots of sleeping and doing homework!

Anyway, I am sure there are a handful of people out there who do more than just eat on Thanksgiving but for those who do not then please, by all means, enjoy stuffing yourself like you stuffed that turkey of yours.

Happy Thanksgiving.

From Hors d'Oeuvours to Beowulf

I just returned from a small social gathering with amazing hors d'oeuvours held across the hall. Originally, a friend and I thought about going to watch 'Love in the Time of Cholera' (because of me!) after a brief stint at the social mixer but we ended up staying for most of it and I do not mind at all.

From what I have heard (and read on Rotten Tomatoes), 'Love in the Time of Cholera' was not that great anyway. That is rather disappointing to hear but I still plan on seeing the movie simply because I loved the book. I do not know when I will be able to see it but I certainly hope it is soon.

What I know that I will watch soon is Beowulf. Tomorrow, or, later today (it is 1:05am right now). I have read the book (all of it and not some abridged version, mind you) and liked it as well but... I do not know... The trailer was not all that appealing to me.

Oh well. I will soon find out what the movies are like!

The Harsh Truth

This semester I am in two different Economics courses with the same professor. It was not was not intentional because they both sounded interesting and I knew I would like the professor since I have had him before. Well, I am very glad that I took these two courses because the content is just so critical, so eye-opening, so educational... And now the professor is one of my favourite professors ever because he has shaped me into a very critical thinker and economist. (And, remember, I hate using the word 'favourite' because I never have 'favourites.')

That was just a prelude to The Anti-Development State: The Political Economy of Permanent Crisis in the Philippines--a book that I am currently reading.

I read excerpts from this book for one of my classes (and have read other works by Walden Bello in other classes) taught by the aforementioned professors. Anyway, I decided to borrow it from the library after seeing it in the section that I was browsing for a research paper.

Bello offers the harsh truth about the current economic situation and development in the Philippines. However, 'harsh' is not even the appropriate word because what Bello discusses is the blatant truth, which he is just very critical about it.

The Philippines has been and continues to be a failure in economic development. This is something any well-informed Filipino (and economist) is aware of, but at least Bello offers constructive suggestions on how to get out of the quagmire we seem to be stuck in.

Love in the Time of Cholera

How long would you wait for love?


I am sure that at one point or another I have alluded to my love for Gabriel Garcia Marquez on this blog. I may have not read all his novels but I make it a point to read one whenever time is kind, and this summer I read Love in the Time of Cholera. Shortly after reading the novel I found out that a movie based on the novel was in the works and is set to be released this week.

Well, I, for one, am looking forward to seeing it and have plans of manipulating the boyfriend into seeing it with me. I adored the novel so I hope the movie will not disappoint.


Fifty-one years, nine months, and four days.
That is how long I have loved you.

Watch the trailer here.

Radical Uprising

A short paper for an Economics class reflects on why radical uprisings once so popular and powerful can neither occur nor have the same effects today and how I feel a tinge of jealousy for not being able to participate in something that momentous and moving.

I guess I spoke (or wrote) too soon because something is in the works in my circle for the greater good of our community. I am excited and I feel empowered.

We are up to something and change will happen because of us.

Pomegranate

I just ate half a pomegranate in the span of ten minutes... Maybe less.

I feel... Icky.

Chinese Gardens

Daylight Savings Time ended early this morning, which I was fully prepared for (even though I was confused when I first woke up) but it seems like the computers here in the library are not set to adjust automatically. I noticed this after being shocked when realizing that I was not even halfway done with my article and it had been over two hours already. I panicked for a bit and cursed my slow reading abilities (it is not really slow but I just like to pick at every single detail). It still took me close to two hours to finish the rather lengthy article on Chinese court gardens but I have an hour to spare to check my Calculus homework and strengthen my term paper proposal for Economics Development. Oh, and to blog a bit...

There is quite a bit of (non-academic, mind you) things that I want to blog about but more on that later.

Or tomorrow.

Or whenever I have time.

Epic Walking

I awoke rather early for a Saturday morning and immediately started contemplating whether or not I should go run on the treadmill downstairs. It did not take me long to willingly get up out of bed to go running. I just felt compelled--moreso obligated--to work out because this past week my eating habits turned horrendously unhealthy that I just felt disgusted by what I had consumed and by my apparent lack of willpower to refrain from consuming what is obviously healthy for me. Needless to say, that great run an hour ago was very much needed.

Inbetween waiting for one of my roommates to finish showering and trying to wake up my boyfriend, I thought I would write something because the past few stressful and tumoultuous weeks have left my blog neglected. So, now, I ramble... About the highlights of this past week?

Okay, then.

The boyfriend and I watched the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy... extended edition. Yes, it was long. Very. Long. I do not really mind though, in fact, I actually enjoyed it because I have never seen any of the three movies in its entirety; just bits and pieces here and there. However, it did contribute to my lethargic state and condemnable eating habits (although for the last movie I did opt for "healthier" snacks).

On Peter Jackson, director of the 'Lord of the Rings trilogy, all I have to say is that he is the master of epic walking.

I have also started volunteering for an organization that focuses on the state's Cambodian American. It is a tight-knit and welcoming community with wonderful members, many of whom I was fortunate enough to meet after Loung Ung's lecture. Right now I am working on writing grant proposals but I do hope to get to do more with and for the community in the near future.

Anyway, a roomie is out of the shower and I need to shower so I can make myself a heart and healthy brunch. Haha. Unfortunately, the boyfriend is still fast asleep so I will make one last attempt (and maybe throw in a threat) before I hop into the shower.

Threesome!

In hopes of being productive I decided to go to the library but here I am in the library filling out memes instead of studying. Oh well, because all is well; I have done most of my homework for tomorrow because I was supposed to be going out to dinner and to First Thursday in the Pearl District with my roommates tonight but that just got canceled.

Anyway, here is Thursday Threesome and this week's theme is 'Time is on my Side!'

Onesome: Time is - Your friend? ...Or your enemy? It's your call, but how do you feel about "time?" Are you in need of a spare cupful? ...Or are you set?

I have always had (enough) time on my side and if that is either a bad or a good thing all really depends on the situation. There are occasions when I would wish that time would paradoxically move more slowly and faster, and occasions when everything was just perfect.

Twosome: on my - way out the door, the last thing I check is to see.... Go ahead, fill in the blank!

Out the door of my room to leave the apartment? I check several things in one glance but the one thing that others may find most bizarre is how I check the window is cracked open just a bit to let air circulate and make sure the blinds are either pulled down or up depending on the time of day.

Threesome: "Side - out Sports"... I just love that name. Have you seen any fun signs or slogans lately you can share with the gang?

Unfortunately, I cannot entertain you with this last question because I have not seen anything catchy... Perhaps tomorrow I will stumble across something amusing and silly.